Election Q&A with Sophie Broadbent – the Green candidate for Hove and Portslade

Six candidates are standing for election to parliament to represent the Hove and Portslade constituency on Thursday 4 July 2024.

The six candidates are Sophie Broadbent (Green), Carline Deal (Conservative), Martin Hess (Reform UK), Peter Kyle (Labour), Tanushka Marah (Independent) and Michael Wang (Liberal Democrat).

Each candidate answered questions submitted by voters. Here are the answers from Green candidate Sophie Broadbent, 46, an account manager, carbon measurement and reduction, and part-time therapeutic counsellor. She tweets as @SophieBroadbent.

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Why do you want to be an MP and how are you qualified for the role?

I’m standing to be MP in Hove and Portslade because I want a positive political environment where diverse and inclusive people from all backgrounds work together in government towards a fairer, kinder, greener future.

We need an urgent pandemic / covid-like response to the climate and nature emergency with social reform at its core, and a laser focus on what needs doing.

I know the country CAN do it – if we choose to. I’ve worked in many different corporate environments and volunteered widely.

As a part-time therapeutic counsellor, I’ll put wellbeing, and social justice at the core of my work.

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If elected, how would you deal with performance and pricing problems in privatised utilities such as the water companies, railways, energy companies and the Royal Mail?

Public services should be owned by the public. We’d bring the failing railway companies back into public ownership, services such as the Royal Mail whose staff do a great job, but without enough people to do their job.

We would subsidise the exorbitant cost of travelling by rail in the UK – higher than almost any other country in Europe. We would reform monopoly utility companies so they’re run for public benefit, starting with the water companies.

We’d regulate the big five energy retailers to end the rip-off high energy bills and ban sewage being dumped in our seas and rivers.

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What would you do to help people who are struggling to rent or buy a home? Should second homes or Airbnb-style holiday lets be banned?

Everyone should have fair access to an affordable first home, and rental security.

Hove is one of the most expensive towns in the UK to rent or buy a home. We desperately need affordable housing.

Green MPs will vote to provide 150,000 new social homes a year and end the so-called ‘right to buy’, so that these homes can belong to communities for ever.

Private tenants need to be secure in their homes. and we will push to end no-fault evictions and introduce long-term leases. Renters will also be given a new right to demand energy efficiency improvements.

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What steps would you take to improve hospital performance, community care and access to GPs for patients in Brighton and Hove?

We would invest in frontline health services – GPs are key to both prevention and early diagnosis – helping hospital waiting lists, and ensuring we all stay healthier for longer.

One in 12 residents in Brighton and Hove provide unpaid care. We would offer trusts investment in clear, long-term, funding commitments – including investing in and supporting our health workers, providing free personal care, mental health provision, and increased pay rates and a career structure for carers to rebuild the care workforce.

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Events in Israel and Gaza have affected many members of the community here. What can people in your constituency expect you to say and do as an MP?

The devastation in the occupied Palestinian territories is a terrible mark of how humanity can turn on itself and destroy the lives of people who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Greens called for a bi-lateral ceasefire within days of the Israeli military’s initial response to the 7 October attacks by Hamas.

Oxfam have pointed to evidence of war crimes including unimaginable numbers of civilians being killed and injured. We need an international and lawful political solution to the conflict immediately.

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Do you support building new homes and a replacement for King Alfred swimming pool in the Benfield Valley?

My daughter enjoys footgolf with Girl Guiding in the Benfield Valley and learnt to swim at the King Alfred. I don’t want to see either of these landmarks damaged.

Protecting our green spaces is vital for human health and wellbeing. However, more than 130,000 children are growing up in temporary accommodation.

We need genuinely affordable homes, built to the right standards and in the right place, as part of flourishing communities.

All homes need to be fit for the future. Green MPs will transform the planning system so new developments come with access to public services and green spaces are protected.

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Polling stations are due to be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 4 July. Photo ID is required for those voting in person.